May Month

May 2026 Holiday List

• 1 May (Fri): Buddha Purnima / Birthday of Pandit Raghunath Murmu – Major Odisha State Holiday. It also marks International Labour Day.

• 7 May (Thu): Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti – Birthday of the Nobel laureate (primarily observed in West Bengal, but recognized nationally).

• 9 May (Sat): Second Saturday – Bank Holiday.

• 11 May (Mon): National Technology Day – Commemorating India's technological advancements.

• 16 May (Sat): Sabitri Amabasya – Major Cultural Day in Odisha. Married women fast and pray for the longevity of their husbands. It is also a Government Holiday in Odisha.

• 22 May (Fri): Birthday of Raja Ram Mohan Roy – Restricted Holiday in Odisha.

• 23 May (Sat): Fourth Saturday – Bank Holiday.

• 27 May (Wed): Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) – Gazetted Holiday across India (subject to moon sighting).

• 31 May (Sun): Jyeshtha Purnima – A significant full moon day in the Hindu calendar.

Highlights for Odisha

• Pandit Raghunath Murmu Jayanti (May 1): Celebrated with great pride in Odisha to honor the inventor of the "Ol Chiki" script for the Santali language.

• Sabitri Amabasya (May 16): This is a huge day for local markets in Odisha. Markets are flooded with fruits and new sarees. For your production house, this is a prime time for lifestyle or "vlog-style" content showcasing the market rush and traditional rituals.

• Sital Sashti Preparations: Towards the end of May, preparations often begin for Sital Sashti (the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati), which is a major festival in Western Odisha (Sambalpur).

• Summer Festivals: As the heat peaks, many local "Sheetala Puja" events take place in various neighborhoods to invoke the Goddess for protection against summer diseases.